Plant Lists

Plant Categories

Conifers - a group of plants that reproduces by means of a seed bearing cone. Conifers add variety in color and texture that contrasts with and accents more traditional broad-leaved evergreens in the landscape. Blues, golds and all shades of green in sizes ranging from the petite ‘Tansu’ Cryptomeria japonica to the tremendous Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) offer you options in the world of conifers. Some varieties are grafted because of difficulty in propagation or to create terrific standards for patios and porches.

Trees – this category includes trees that range from large shade trees such as the Japanese Pagoda Tree (Sophora japonica) and Mexican Oak (Quercus risophylla)  to smaller contorted specimens like the Contorted Filbert (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') and all other levels of appeal in between. We try to collect and grow plants with pronounced characteristics of interest. Whether it’s the fall color of the Full Moon Maple (Acer japonicum acontifolium) or the spectacular bloom of the Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora), these plants offer great diversity for the home gardener.

Broad-leaved Evergreen Shrubs – a favorite choice for foundation plantings, many evergreens now offer more than just lustrous green foliage. Look here for varieties that add fragrance such as one of the many Iliciums; showy blooms such as those of Rhododendron yakusimanum, or foliage ranging from red to burgundy or even the chartreuse of Baggesen’s Gold Lonicera nitida to highlight an area. Berrying evergreens are always in demand, but now…not all berries are red. Look for varying shades of yellows, creams, oranges and blues in hollies, viburnums, mahonias, nandinas and more.

Deciduous Shrubs-include a wide range of shrubs for added interest among evergreens along the foundation, such as the Hummingbird Clethra (Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird') and to naturalize areas along a woods border...try Mt. Airy Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii 'Mt. Airy'). This category is host to many of the old-timey flowering shrubs like the Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia amablis), as well those that offer several seasons of interest with interesting blooms or foliage and fall color like Disanthus (Disanthus cercidifolius).

Grasses & Bamboos– a terrific way to introduce vertical lines, grasses and bamboos can be found in all colors and sizes and grown for interest ranging from bright blue winter color (‘Sea Urchin’ Festuca glauca), super late summer plumage (Mu), terrific fall color (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Purpurescens’, or attractive winter form (Erianthus ravennae). In the bamboos, we especially enjoy the black culms From small to tall, we include a variety of choices in our nursery each year.

Herbaceous Perennials & Herbs – these are the plants of choice for many gardeners who want changing seasonal interest and eye-popping color throughout the year. Whether it’s the tiny creeping thymes for planting among stepping stones, or giant crinums with foliage stretching across a 12’span, or the much butterfly-coveted panicles of bloom on the buddleis , there’s a perennial out there for nearly every open spot in the border or herb garden.

Oddball Annuals & Peppers – Annuals aren’t a major focus at Foothills, but there are always a few varieties that we can’t resist. These range from the less cold hardy herbs to the fabulous burgundy foliage of the Carmencita Bright Red Castor Bean and the cheerful bright blooms of the nasturtiums. Hot peppers are a habit here with annual choices ranging from mildest to wildest…we just can’t control our fascination with peppers.(See Mango-Habanero Salsa in Summer 2002 Newsletter)

Vines and Groundcovers – For scrambling up fence posts and columns, or over walls of stone, vines give body and life to so many otherwise nondescript structures that we are constantly growing new varieties to intrigue the grower with seasonal blooms, evergreen or startlingly variegated foliage or exfoliating bark. Groundcovers, too, offer an opportunity to explore everything from the evergreen, textured matted look of the Creeping Raspberry to the delicately hidden berries among the glossy, slow spreading foliage of ardisia japonica.

Water Garden & Bog Plants – This area of plants is probably our favorite in July, when it helps to beat the heat by clamoring in and out of the water gardens. We carry a wide range of hardy plants, as well as a few tropical varieties. Who can resist the dark wine heart shaped Taro? The carnivorous plants, rushes and a number of other oddballs can be found hanging out in the "boggy" category of plants.